Delusional infestation and the specimen sign: a European multicentre study in 148 consecutive cases

Freudenmann, Roland W.; Lepping, Peter; Huber, Markus; Dieckmann, Sebastian; Bauer-Dubau, K.; Ignatius, Ralf; Miséry, Laurent; Schöllhammer, M.; Harth, W.; Taylor, R.; Bewley, Anthony

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10995.x

Cited by 61 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…Delusions of parasitosis was the third common problem reported in the present work but it is the major problem published elsewhere, as it is the most common in European countries [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 49%

The Major Psychocutaneous Disorders in Iraqi Patients

Sharquie¹,

Noaimi²,

Younis³

et al. 2015

JCDSA

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Background: Many skin diseases can be evoked by psychological problems. Dermatological conditions could also lead to psychological disorders; hence psychodermatology is an emerging subspecialty that focuses on the interface of psychiatry and dermatology. Objective: To assess the frequency of the major disorders of so-called psychocutaneous disorders which are commonly seen among Iraqi population. Patients and Methods: This case descriptive study had been done in Department of Dermatology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq during the period from March 2011 to October 2013. All cases were collected and categorized according to the disease problem. Patients were interviewed to search for the main triggering and precipitating factors involved in pathogenesis of these disorders. The clinical picture was well described in order to reach a final diagnosis. Psychological interview and analysis were performed for all patients to reach the specific emotional and psychiatric disease by consultant psychiatrist. Results: A total of 100 patients with major psychocutaneous disorders were seen and evaluated. Nineteen were males and 81 were females with female to male ratio: 4.26:1. Their ages ranged from 7 -73 (26.5 ± 5.217) years. The frequency of these diseases was as follows: trichotillomania 53%, dermatitis artifacta 37%, delusion of parasitosis 6% and neurotic excoriation 4%. Conclusions: The major psychocutaneous diseases in Iraqi population were: trichotillomania, dermatitis artifacta and these are problems of mainly young females while delusion of parasitosis and neurotic excoriations were diseases of middle age females.

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“…Delusions of parasitosis was the third common problem reported in the present work but it is the major problem published elsewhere, as it is the most common in European countries [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 49%

The Major Psychocutaneous Disorders in Iraqi Patients

Sharquie¹,

Noaimi²,

Younis³

et al. 2015

JCDSA

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“…Menos frecuentemente consultan por la presencia de "gusanos o bichos" en orificios como la boca, nariz, ano o la expulsión de vermes a través del tubo digestivo. Se ha descrito en la literatura científica el "signo del espécimen" 3,14 , presente en 25-75% de los pacientes, y que consiste en que los sujetos llevan una muestra del espécimen del cual creen estar infestados a la consulta médica, en algún medio de transporte (contenedores de vidrio, bolsas, tapas, cajas, papel higiénico, etc.). En ocasiones suelen llevar restos de pelo, costras, hilos, materia orgánica como fibras, vegetales o materia inorgánica como arena y tierra en pequeñas cajas de cartón, de ahí la denominación de "síndrome de la caja de fósforos"…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

“…Sin embargo, cuando se realiza la evaluación clínica y/o exámenes de laboratorio no se encuentran elementos parasitarios o parásitos que confirmen una infestación 1,2 . La parasitosis ilusoria es un motivo de consulta poco frecuente y sólo se conoce por comunicaciones de series de casos [3][4][5][6] , por lo que se desconoce su real prevalencia. Otras denominaciones encontradas en la literatura para este cuadro son: delirio parasitario, entomofobia, parasitofobia, síndrome de Ekbom y más recientemente, enfermedad de Morgellons 1,2 .…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Parasitosis ilusoria intestinal y dermatológica: casos clínicos

Arce

Rosset

Arcos

et al. 2017

Rev. chil. infectol.

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“…Atypical manifestations appear when the "pathogens" are relatively large, the environment is infested rather than the individual, or the infestation is caused by inanimate objects (3,6,42). The infesting species range from unspecific living beings to microorganisms and small animals.…”

Section: Drugs or Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delusional infestation. Ekbom´s syndrome in a 47-year-old woman. Case report

Olivera¹,

Villamil²,

Moreno³

et al. 2017

Case reports

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Introduction: Delusional infestation is a rare psychiatric disorder defined as a condition in which the patient has the unshakable belief and perception of being infested with parasites. Its treatment is difficult, and frequently includes antipsychotic medications (such as olanzapine or aripiprazole). Non-pharmacological treatment, particularly psychotherapy, can be used for less severe cases. Dermatologists and psychiatrists must take a multi-disciplinary approach (preferably in a psycodermatology dedicated clinic) since this type of patients sometimes refuse treatment. Case description:A 53-year-old female businesswoman describes a clinical history of five years of visual hallucinations, depressive symptoms, and generalized pruritus, along with the use of toxic substances to "clean" her skin and cloths. She reports similar symptoms in some relatives but they were not evaluated. Blood tests and analyses of the "specimen" brought by the patient were performed, yielding negative results. The patient had never been assessed by any specialist, and showed disoriented during the consultation. Follow-up was not possible due to the reluctance of the patient to follow the indications and seek psychiatric treatment. Moreover, the patient did not respond to further communication attempts.

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Delusional infestation and the specimen sign: a European multicentre study in 148 consecutive cases

Cited by 61 publications

References 18 publications

The Major Psychocutaneous Disorders in Iraqi Patients

The Major Psychocutaneous Disorders in Iraqi Patients

Parasitosis ilusoria intestinal y dermatológica: casos clínicos

Delusional infestation. Ekbom´s syndrome in a 47-year-old woman. Case report

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